Movement in the Atmosphere

Air can move in the atmosphere and close to the ground, which can have an affect on aircraft during its flight. 


Turbulence: is caused when an airplane flies through waves of air that are irregular or violent, which cause the aircraft to bounce around yawing, pitching, or rolling. Turbulence is associated with fronts, wind shear, thunderstorms, etc.


Laminar flow: type of fluid (gas or liquid) flow in which the fluid travels smoothly or in regular paths

Mechanical turbulence: Friction between the air and the ground, especially irregular terrain and man-made obstacles, causes eddies and therefore turbulence in the lower levels. Air breaks into a series of eddies (whirlpools of air). 

Image Source: https://www.futuresky-safety.eu/wake-vortex-coordination/

Image Source: https://www.weather.gov/source/zhu/ZHU_Training_Page/turbulence_stuff/turbulence/turbulence.htm

Air is also lifted and moved around in different ways.

Turbulent lift: when air mass passes up and over chaotic low altitude air


Convective lift: when an air mass is heated by its surroundings, thereby becoming less dense and rising to higher elevations


Orographic Lift: Air blowing against range of hills or mountains is forced to rise 


Frontal Lift: warmer air moves up and over an edge of a cold mass below it 


Convergent lift: when air near the surface flows together and is pushed upward when it is squeezed together

Image Source: https://kids.britannica.com/students/assembly/view/53902